News

15th January 2012 Focus On Colostrum Quality

The 2011 Rotavec Corona National Calf Scour Survey recently conducted by Dairy Farmer magazine and Farmers Guardian has highlighted the importance of feeding newborn calves as much high quality colostrum as possible during the first 24 hours of life.

Around 800 farmers responded to the survey questionnaire and the findings highlighted the fact that many rearers are still struggling to get on top of scour problems. On a positive note, 94.3% of farmers say they consult their vet when faced with a scour problem, but the issue is many don’t until the disease is quite severe.

Even if you have quite a mild scour problem with your calves, it is well worth contacting the practice for advice. Often we can help stop a mild problem becoming a very severe and costly one.

One of the first steps is to assess whether there are any infectious scour pathogens causing the problem using a simple calf-side faecal testing kit. Rotavirus and cryptosporidia remain the most prevalent infectious scour-causing pathogens on UK farms, and the survey findings confirm this too. On farms that had had a causative disease organism identified, rotavirus was detected in 45.7% of cases and cryptosporidia in 32.7%. E.coli K99 (24.7%) and coronavirus (12.4%) were also significant pathogens.

In terms of scour prevention, we can also help you assess whether the colostrum you are feeding to your calves is of good enough quality. Using a colostrometer can help provide a quick assessment of colostrum quality, but we can also test the antibody status of your calves and this will certainly determine whether your calves are getting the protection they need.

Don’t forget that the best way of boosting colostrum quality to protect calves from scours caused by rotavirus, coronavirus and E.coli K99 is to vaccinate the dam with Rotavec Corona one to three months before calving. This then ensures your calves can gain disease protection from drinking the antibody-rich colostrum – but make sure that calves get at least three litres of this fortified liquid gold within the first six hours of life!

If cryptosporidia infection has been identified on your farm, it can be controlled by the use of Halocur. The drug reduces the severity of disease in individual calves and suppresses the output of oocysts, which cuts the risk of disease spread.

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1st January 2012 Farmers are turning to social media to promote their business - so are we!

Farmers turning to social media to communicate with customers and boost business

Farmers are using social media sites such as Twitter as a way to promote their business and boost profits, a survey has revealed.

Increasing numbers of media-savvy farmers across the UK are using Twitter and Facebook to get advice, share ideas and keep up-to-date with developments, according to the online survey of 1,000 people carried out this month.

Just over half of farmers, 53 per cent, said they used social media, the main reasons being to communicate with customers and to raise issues relating to farming. A smaller number use it as a "direct line" to policy makers and politicians as the industry faces up to the economic downturn and rising costs, while 87 per cent described social media as an ''effective'' tool.

The results of the survey by JCB Workwear also signal an optimistic mood among farmers, despite reports some sectors are in decline.

The top reason given by farmers for using such sites was to flag-up farming-related issues (41 per cent).

When asked about the future of farming, 63 per cent viewed it as ''positive'' with 35 per cent saying they were ''worried'' and just 2 per cent believing farming is in ''crisis''.

Almost one in ten said they saw farming as ''a job for life''.

Howard Topham, managing director of JCB Workwear, said: ''The results show that many farmers see social media as a way of promoting their business and products and staying ahead of the competition.

''Contrary to reports, it seems there is a great deal of optimism for the future of farming and farmers are prepared to face-up to the tough economic times ahead.''

Telegraph

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1st January 2012 Time to plan pre-turnout vaccinations

As we approach the warmer weather and turnout, it is time to turn our minds to preventing diseases such as Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection capable of leading to fertility issues, weak and sickly calves and abortions. What is more, Leptospirosis can affect humans and this poses a risk to all farm workers managing cattle.

To raise awareness and encourage farmers to check their herd’s status, farmacy.co.uk is actively supporting National Lepto Month, an initiative in Farmers Guardian and Dairy Farmer throughout February. National Lepto Month aims to get as many farmers as possible to evaluate the risk factors for their herd and, once armed with that information, to work with us to plan how best to manage the threat of this disease on your farm.

Is your farm at risk?

Do you buy in cattle?
Do your cattle sometimes graze with sheep?
Do you use a bull?
Do your cattle have access to a watercourse?

If you have answered yes to any of these, your stock could be at risk of Leptospirosis infection, one of the most common diseases seen in UK beef and dairy cattle. Screening shows that around half to two thirds of cattle test positive for exposure to Leptospirosis but what is sometimes overlooked is that after exposure an animal can become a carrier of the disease for months or even life.

The disease is caused by infection with spirochaete bacteria from the Leptospira group. Two different strains are of importance to UK cattle – L.hardjo prajitno and L. hardjo bovis. We recommend Leptavoid-H® as it is the only vaccine licensed to protect stock against both strains in the UK.

How is the disease transmitted?

The bacteria settle in the reproductive tract and the kidneys and are shed in the urine of infected animals. Infection is commonly acquired when the infected urine splashes into eyes, wounds and the mouth. It may also be ingested through urine-contaminated feed or water, or during service.

What are the signs of the disease?

infertility
fever
loss of appetite
weak calves
abortion - usually 6-12 weeks after infection

On most units, Leptospirosis is present as an insidious disease causing grumbling fertility problems, rather than affecting naïve herds and causing highly visible abortion storms and large-scale milk drop. The disease can be a major cause of poor conception rates as it can cause early embryonic loss and unexpected returns to service. Apart from a tangible increase in AI costs there are also losses in milk yield associated with extended calving intervals, as well as high cull rates especially in block calving herds.

Turnout is often the time when heifers who, for whatever reason have not had their full two-dose primary course, are most at risk. Mixing cattle means that the disease spreads easily from infected to uninfected animals and if heifers have not had their two doses four to six weeks apart with the final dose two weeks prior to turnout, immunity may not be optimised. This is a busy time for all farmers, with many vaccine boosters required in a short space of time. Remember that since last year, Leptavoid-H can be used concurrently with Bovilis BVD® - it can be given at the same time to the same animal. Each vaccine is to be given by separate routes and sites, to animals of 8 months or older. The concurrent use in cattle may result in fewer animal interventions, less stress and better welfare.

Leptavoid-H is licensed to reduce the shedding of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo (prajitno) in urine and it is also licensed to improve herd fertility when Leptospira hardjo is the cause of infertility. Leptavoid-H is the only Leptospirosis vaccine licensed to protect stock against both strains in the UK.

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20th December 2011 Transition & Fresh Cow Monitoring Program

Nutritional and metabolic derangements in late lactation and fresh cows are currently causing significant financial loss. Energy derangements in transition cows can have profound effects on post calving performance in terms of production and future fertility performance.

The following table outline’s disease target figures for the most common transition / fresh cow disease.

Transition & Fresh Cow Disease	Target	Estimated cost per case
Clinical Milk Fever	5%	£200
Displaced Abomasum	2%	£300
RFM’s	5%	£230
Metritis	3%	£180
Clinical Ketosis	1%	£200

Initial results suggest a sub clinical milk fever level of approximately 25%. Studies have suggested a similar figure for the national herd. This can have serious financial effects in terms of increased involuntary culls, increased death rate, increased mastitis and decreased fertility in affected animals.

Herd monitoring suggests a sub clinical ketosis incidence of 20%. This compares very well with studies in Canada which showed a national disease incidence of ketosis of approximately 50%. Ketosis (Slow Fever) can dramatically affect future fertility performance. Studies have shown on average an extra 70 days open for animals with clinical disease and an increased risk of first ovulation failure post calving resulting in cystic ovarian disease. It also lowers the cows immune system making her more prone to Metritis, Mastitis and general Ill health.

Monitoring services should involve monthly body condition scoring and blood sampling of Dry & Fresh animals to assess BHB (Energy status), Nefa’s (Fat mobilisation) and Urea (Energy & protein relationship).

This can be used in conjunction with ongoing DHHPS service’s to your farms but will provide much more information and allow more regular assessment with data also forwarded to the DHHPS lab to aid in their dietary assessment.

For more information please ask your Vet the next time they are on the farm!

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26th September 2011 Farmacy on top of the world!

One day after the Dairy Event a farmacy.co.uk cap is spotted on top of a mountain!

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16th September 2011 Farmacy customer J J Wilcocks scoops national prize. Congratulations!

J J Wilcocks

THE final results of the Dairy Farmer of the Future competition have been announced with James Willcocks of Bodmin, Cornwall, taking the winner's trophy.

The 38-year-old was presented with the trophy and prize money at the Farm Health Planning Seminar area on the first afternoon of the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.

Katie Lomas, co-judge and FG's livestock editor, told the crowd James had impressed all the judges with his focus, commitment and professional approach to achieving a good work life balance.

James and his wife, Kiki, tenants on the 200ha (500-acre) Tregleath Farm, milk 270 cows. They are using Brown Swiss, Norwegian Red and New Zealand Friesian/Jerseys in a three-way cross-breeding programme and are set to move to a spring and autumn block calving system as well as taking numbers to 300 in the next 18 months.

Runner-up was Michael Colwell, 37, also from Cornwall.

Tom Pugh, 23, from Eardisley, Hereford, was Highly Commended.

Now in its ninth year, the annual competition is run by Farmers Guardian and its sister publication Dairy Farmer, and aims to recognise and reward young dairy farmers across the agricultural industry.

Article by kind permission of Farmers Guardian

Source: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.

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16th September 2011 Rumen bolus: A new rumen bolus being trialled for the first time in the UK could help prevent problems such as lameness and poor fertility

The Smaxtec bolus measures rumen pH and temperature and could allude farmers to problems such as sub acute rumen acidosis (SARA), which,by the time symptoms occur damage could already be done, said Westpoint Vet Group's Rob Drysdale.

"SARA can have an impact on levels of lameness and fertility, so by the time you see symptoms of SARA it could be too late. By measuring rumen pH, farmers can monitor the rumen and take immediate action if they see something going wrong."

Mr Drysdale is trialling the bolus on some of his client's farms, and said although the cost of £300 a bolus may seem expensive, the pay-back may be quite short.

"If you can get the rumen functioning at optimal performance then feed will be used more efficiently and you could produce more milk from the same amount of feed. So, essentially, saving feed costs and producing more milk is money in the pocket and makes the £300 investment worthwhile.

"That is without taking in to account potential reductions in SARA, lameness issues and better condition scores by feeding more accurately. Knowing what is going on in the rumen really could help farmers produce healthier cows," he said.

Mr Drysdale believes only a small portion of the herd would need to carry the bolus, which monitors pH for 50 days. "You could put it in before calving to monitor the transition period, or every time you change the base clamp, for example, "he said.

Article by Sarah Trickett appears in Farmers Weekly interactive

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16th August 2011 Calving Difficulties

Calving is one of the most critical times of a cow’s life. A smooth calving is the first step towards a successful and profitable lactation as well as providing the best possible start for the newborn calf. Normally only 3-8% of animals will require assistance at calving, however, for breeds such as Belgian Blues, up to 80% of animals will require some form assistance at calving.

Whilst the majority of cows will calve quite easily without assistance it is important to be able to recognise when you need to provide additional help. A general understanding of the normal birth process will help you determine when assistance is required.

Normal calving can be divided into three general stages:-

Stage 1: - Preparation.

Stage 2: - Delivery of the calf.

Stage 3: - Expulsion of the afterbirth

In stage 1 we see the animal preparing to calve; uterine contractions begin and the cervix starts to dilate. Animals will become restless and separate themselves from the rest of the group. This stage will last approximately 2-6 hours, although it might be slightly longer in heifers. Any unusual disturbance or stress during this period, such as excitement, may inhibit the contractions and delay calving.

Stage 2 begins when the calf enters the birth canal which stimulates abdominal contractions. The water bag will be seen appearing from the vulva at the start of this stage. Delivery of the calf should then occur within 1-2 hours of the water bag being seen.

The final part of the calving process is stage 3, the expulsion of the after-birth and this will generally occur 6-12 hours after the delivery of the calf. However, in some cases (especially after difficult calvings), the cow may not cleanse straight away. As long as the animal is bright, alert and still eating and drinking, then the cleansing can be left untouched for up to 7 days. If, after this period (or if the cow appears ill or off her food at any point), the afterbirth has not come away, then please contact the practice as she may well require veterinary attention.

Cows should be examined if they have been in Stage 1 for longer than 6 hours and no further signs of calving have been observed. Any animals which show signs of abdominal contractions or a water bag for over 2 hours without showing any parts of the calf should also be examined. When you start seeing the calf’s feet it is important to continue to monitor the cow at regular intervals. If no progress is made within an hour, or the nose of the calf protrudes further than its feet, assistance should be provided.

When examining a calving cow, ensure the animal is properly restrained, that you use plenty of lubricant and that you are as clean as possible. If you find upon inserting your hand into the vagina that the cervix will admit only two or three fingers, the case is probably one of non-dilation of the cervix or a possible uterine torsion. If the animal is showing signs of distress or has been calving for a long time, we would recommend you call the practice.

If the cervix is fully dilated and three essential parts of the calf (two front feet and head) can be felt in proper position, traction may be applied. Calving ropes should be looped above the calf’s fetlock (first joint) and then gradual traction can be applied. A calving aid may be used at this point to slowly pull the calf, but care must be taken not to apply too much force. Always ensure you use large amounts of lubricant (no calf has ever died from using too much lubricant, but plenty of cows have suffered from not using enough!).

In 95% of calvings the calf will be presented with its 2 front feet forwards with its head resting on top. If the calf is not coming normally (head back, leg back or breech), you must reposition the calf before applying traction. Sometimes deviations of the feet or head are minor and simple to correct, at other times they may be very difficult and if you are having difficulties it is important call us as soon as possible. If the calf is coming backwards, never attempt to turn the calf around, it should be delivered back legs first.

Once you have delivered the calf, clear and mucous from around its mouth and nose and stimulate breathing by rubbing its chest vigorously, and by getting it to sneeze by

placing a piece of straw in its nostril. Once the calf is breathing well, cover its navel with iodine and remember to ensure it gets 2-3 litres of colostrum as soon as possible.

Good management of calving cows plays an important part in ensuring the productivity of the herd. Regular observation of calving animals and appropriate intervention in the case of any difficulties will help minimise losses. When you do intervene, always ensure the animal is properly restrained and that you are clean. If you encounter problems you cannot correct, please contact us as soon as possible. If we do need to perform a caesarean section, the outcomes are always better if the decision to operate is made early before the cow is tired.

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1st June 2011 Strep. uberis Mastitis

**Mastitis remains one the most important disease challenges facing dairy farmers and Strep. uberis counts as the most common cause of mastitis.**

Strep. uberis causes both clinical and subclinical mastitis, that may be easy to cure or very difficult. It can be spread both in the parlour, during milking times and picked up through the dry period. Clinical cases can be very persistent and difficult to cure and subclinical cases can even go unnoticed, but in both cases infection in one cow poses a risk of infection to another cow; once present it can easily spread throughout the herd.

Not only is Strep. uberis

mastitis a problem in dairy cows, but it is a serious threat to heifers entering the milking herd. Infections picked up prior to first calving can result in high somatic cell count and clinical cases in that important first lactation.

This is why in a herd where

Strep. uberis is suspected antibiotic therapy must be effective and targeted. Injectable antibiotics, including Mamyzin, are very useful when it comes to treating mastitis where Strep. uberis or other sensitive gram-positive pathogens are suspected. Mamyzin contains penethamate hydriodide, a "pro-drug" of penicillin. Penicillin is a very good antibiotic against gram-positive bacteria, but doesn’t get into the udder very well. However, a pro-drug is a chemical that concentrates in the udder, and is then changed, by the cow, into penicillin, which is ‘trapped’ at the site where it is needed. Injectable antibiotics also have the advantage of treating all 4 quarters with one injection.

It is known that infections of longer duration are more difficult to cure and this is why early effective targeted therapy is essential in both clinical mastitis and high cell count cows. Herds where gram-positive pathogens are resulting in high SCC, and / or clinical cases in first lactation heifers, may also benefit from targeted therapy with Mamyzin, as demonstrated by a 49% reduction in risk of mastitis at calving in one study.

Advice on the use of Mamyzin, or other therapies, should be sought from your regular farm vet.

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